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IHS plans new hospital at Sioux San





SIOUX SAN HOSPITAL

SIOUX SAN HOSPITAL

RAPID CITY –– According to a letter from Great Plains Area Indian Health Service to Historic Rapid City the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service (IHS) is planning to build a new hospital facility in the central portion of the Sioux San campus.


The June 1 letter from the Great Plains Area Associate Director states that in order to comply with provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act, IHS was required to consult with the South Dakota Preservation Officer who determined “that the undertaking would have an adverse affect on historic properties.”


A description of “the undertaking would consist of the demolition of 16 buildings and structures, demolition of the water tank, demolition or removal of 5 buildings and structures, rehabilitation of 2 buildings, and rehabilitation of the contributing rock retaining wall/staircase/ entrance sign features.”


“A new hospital facility would be constructed in the central portion of the campus.”


According to the letter IHS is in the process of developing “a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and mitigation to avoid, minimize or mitigate the adverse effects.”


“As part of the process, IHS will also consult with stakeholders (Called Consulting Parties) making available opportunities to provide input into the development of the MOA and mitigation plan,” the letter continues.


While the letter is an invitation to Historic Rapid City to be a consulting party, Gay Kingman, Executive Director of Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association said three tribes jointly administer Sioux San Hospital, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribe.


Kingman said Great Plains Tribal Chairman are aware of the undertaking and agree that historic buildings should be preserved to help tribal members, “They would like to see the old hospital turned into an alcohol and drug treatment center.”

Public Affairs Specialist Joshua Barnett verified that plans
are underway for the new facility at Sioux San,

“IHS is in the initial stages of creating plans to build a
new Health Center at Sioux San to better serve the community with expanded
health care services and programs. This facility has been prioritized for
improvements for many years and funds for the project have recently become
available. A timetable for the next steps is currently under development and
IHS looks forward to continued collaboration with tribal leadership and the
community as preparation for this project moves forward. Those efforts began in
February when IHS invited tribal representatives to participate in an
informational meeting and to review the proposed construction site.


The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs recently held a legislative oversight meeting in Rapid City seeking testimony on ways to improve services provided by IHS. A recurring theme throughout the congressional and tribal leaders visit to Rapid City was the lack of transparency and consultation on the part of Indian Health Service.


IHS is currently conducting a 90 day consultation with tribal leaders and urban Indian organizations to discuss the “Operations of Regional Office for Great Plains.”


“This consultation is part of a strategic discussion with Tribal leaders about how the Great Plains Area Office can be more supportive and patient focused. The priority here is to support the needs of the Tribes in the Great Plains Area,” said IHS Principal Deputy Director Mary Smith. “I believe that partnership is the key to transforming IHS. IHS is committed to listening to concerns and to working with the Tribes in the Great Plains Area to explore options.”


Two more consultation sessions are scheduled this summer.


IHS will host a telephone session Aug. 10. On Aug. 30 is the 13th Annual Direct Service Tribes National Meeting & 6th Annual Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board Health Summit at Holiday Inn Rapid City, Rushmore Plaza 505 North Fifth Street in Rapid City.


Tribal leaders and Urban Indian organization representatives are invited to participate and submit written comments. Representatives from Tribal and Native nonprofit organizations are welcome to attend the sessions as observers.


One of the most significant stakeholders of Sioux San Hospital is the thousands of Indians living in Pennington County that utilize Sioux San as their primary care provider.


Community activist Mark Lonehill said a meeting with the United Tribal Health Board is scheduled 9 a.m. Friday, July 29, at the Ramkota in Rapid City.

(Contact Ernestine Chasing Hawk at editor@nsweekly.com)


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